Page 356 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

JUSTLE - JUTTAH

The Book of Ephesians. The book of Ephesians lays relationship. But daily fellowship with God in this
out this distinction plainly. Chapters one through three present world depends on how the believer lives. It
present the believer’s position and relationship; chapters depends on walking in the light and confessing one’s
four through six deal with his practice and fellowship. sins (1 John 1:5-10). Obedience and confession of sin
In Ephesians 1-3 the believer is repeatedly said to be “in are essential in order to remain in fellowship with the
Christ” (1:1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13; 2:6, 10, 13, 22; Saviour, but our walk does not change our position in
3:6, 12). “In Christ” is the theme of this section of the Christ or our relationship with God as Father. If we sin,
epistle. The key word in Ephesians 1-3 is “grace” (1:2, He remains our Father and Christ remains our Advocate
6; 2:5, 7-8; 3:2, 7). In Ephesians 4-6 the subject changes (1 Jn. 2:1). How can this be? It is because Christ paid
to the believer’s walk in this world. The key words in the full price demanded by God’s law for sin (1 Jn. 2:2),
Ephesians 4-6 are “walk” (4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15), and eternal life is a free gift, undeserved and unmerited.
“conversation” (4:22), “put on” (4:24; 6:11), and John’s Gospel. The Gospel of John also shows this
“obey” (6:1). The pivotal verse is Ep. 4:1, “I therefore, distinction plainly. In John 1-12 the focus is on the
the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk unsaved, and the main message is “believe on the Lord
worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Here Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:7, 12; 3:15-16, 18; 4:39; 5:24; 6:35,
we are told the believer is to bring his daily walk into 47; 7:38; 8:24; 9:35; 10:38; 11:26). When the unsaved
line with his eternal position. The believer does not live asked about doing the works of God, Christ replied,
right in order TO BE saved, but because he HAS BEEN “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom
saved. There is a world of difference. To serve God he hath sent” (Jn. 6:29). That is the only work God will
because you have been saved is the true gospel; to serve accept from the unsaved. In chapter thirteen, though,
God in order to gain salvation or to perfect one’s Christ turns His attention to His own little flock and the
salvation is a false gospel. Ep. 5:8 says, “For ye were theme changes from faith to obedience. “If a man love
sometimes darkness, but NOW are ye light in the Lord: me, he will keep my words” (Jn. 14:23). This change in
WALK as children of light.” The believer’s position in the theme of John’s Gospel illustrates the difference
Christ is that he is “light in the Lord.” This is God’s gift between relationship and fellowship. Faith is the
in Christ. The believer is instructed to live up to that requirement for relationship; obedience is the
position in his daily living. requirement for fellowship. Faith is the way to become a
John’s First Epistle. The difference between position child of God; obedience is the way to walk in fellowship
and practice is also seen in 1 John. Here the Lord makes with the Father. [See Confidence, Consolation, Eternal
a plain distinction between relationship and fellowship. Security, Footwashing, Freely, Gospel, Grace, Holy,
The theme of 1 John is fellowship, not relationship (1 Hope, Integrity, Just, Mercy, Peace, Peculiar,
Jn. 1:3). The Epistle is written to those who already Propitiation, Repentance, Reconciliation, Redemption,
have a relationship with God as children through faith Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Seventh-day
in Christ. Those who believe in Christ are born into His Adventism.]
family as children of God (Ga. 3:26). God imputes the JUSTLE. Jostle; clash with; strike against (Na. 2:4).
righteousness of Christ to the believer’s account. He is JUSTUS (upright, just). Ac. 1:23.
propitiated (satisfied) by what Christ did on the cross in
the sinner’s place. This is the believer’s eternal JUTTAH (it is extended, turning away). Jos. 15:55.

356 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity